Thermo Fisher Scientific has produced another short, animated video featuring some very basic information about the polymerase chain reaction, PCR, one of the most common techniques in genetic research. Intended for the layperson that would like to know more, this video discusses the various components of a PCR reaction (which all just look like clear, colorless liquids).

The PCR reaction is made up of primers, nucleotides or dNTPs, enzymes and a genetic template. That template can be a huge variety of things, from genomic DNA extracted from an organism, or an artificially constructed piece of genetic material. Check out the video and learn more about the reaction.